Electric sign.



Patented July 29, 1902.

' T. E. MURRAY. ELEGTRlC sum.

(Application filed Feb. 11, 1902.)

(No Model.)

Fig. 3 n 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS-E. MURRAY, OF NEw YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SIGN.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 705,597, dated July 29, 1902.

Application filed February 11,1902 Serial No. 93,520. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. MURRAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Signs, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to that class of electric signs 'in which letters or characters are illuminated by a number of glow-lamps secured upon their faces.

' The invention consists in the construction more particularly set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a cross-section of a part of the sheet-metal sign and of the lamp-socket therein withthe lampin place. Fig. 2 is a front view of the socket. Fig. 3 shows a mode of holding the letter in the frame. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line w a: of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows another mode of holding a letterin the'frame by suspending it from an eyebolt or hook.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts. j

The sign is to be made up of any suitable letters or'characters. Each letter, as represented at A, is preferably to he formed of sheet-metal and provided with circular apertures to receive the lamp-sockets, which are secured thereon. Each socket consists of a cup of insulating material B, having a flange received in similarly-formed recesses in the rear side of the flange O in order to prevent their turning. Within the socket is'a metal lining F, adapted to receive the threaded shank of the lamp G, which is screwed into it in the ordinary way. On the bottom of the socket is a contact-plate H, to whichone circuit-terminal I is connected, which contactplate electrically communicates with the lining F. Another contact-plate J, centrally disposed on the bottom of the socket, is connected to'the other circuit-terminal K and is secured in place by the screw L. The lamp when in the socket, as shown in Fig. 1, makes contact, respectively, with the plates J and lining F. In order to prevent vibration of the lamp and assist in retaining it in position, a flexible rubber ring M may encircle it just beyond the projecting part N of the socket, which enters the aperture in the letter-plate.

' The letter-plates, thus provided with elec-j trio glow-lamps, may be supported on the sign-frame O in various ways. Thus in Fig. 3 the frame is provided with two parallel split tubes P and Q, and the projecting ends of the plate are inserted through the tube-openiu gs, as shown, each letter-plate in turn being introduced at the ends of the tubes and slid along to the desired position; or, as shown in Fig. 5, each letter-plate may be suspended by a ring R from a hook or eyebolt S, attached to abar T, which may be the upper bar or molding of a frame. The circuit-wires in the lattercase may be combined and simply de-- pend from the letter-plate, as indicated.

I claim- 1. The combination in an electric sign of the type herein specified, of a lamp-socket support formed integrally of a thin plate in the shape of a letter or character, aglow-lamp socket having an annular projection entering said opening and a flange, and means for detachably securing said flange to said plate,

substantially as described.

2. In an electric sign of the type herein specified, the combination of a letter-plate of metal, a glow-lamp socket of insulating material disposed in and extendingthrough an opening in said plate, a flange on said socket,

and means for detachably connecting said flange to said plate, substantially as described.

3. In an electric sign of the type herein specified, the combination of a letter-plate, a glow-lamp socket disposed in an opening in said plate and detachably secured to said plate and having within'its recessa threaded lining F, the curved contact-plate H disposed in the bottom of said recess and communiing projection N entering an opening in said plate, flange C, contact-plates Within said socket and circuit-terminals extending from said contact-plates through the Wall of said socket and means for connecting said flange O to said plate, substantially as described.

5. In an electric sign of the type herein specified, the combination with a letter-plate, of a cylindrical glow-lamp socket attached on one side of said plate and having an annular projection extending through said plate, and means for securing said lamp in said socket so that the bulb of said lamp shall he surrounded and supported by said annular projection, substantially as described.

6. In an electric sign of the type herein Witnesses:

J 0s. WILLIAMS, ADOLPH RASSIGA, Jr. 

